Aakash 2 to be presented at United Nations tomorrow

According to a report by the Economic Times, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs will be showcasing the Aakash 2 tablet at the United Nations headquarters tomorrow, in spite of the controversy surrounding the device’s provenance.

India’s UN Mission in New York would be making a presentation to the United Nations assembly, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. The mission may also distribute the tablets to the member states. The ET report quotes MEA’s Joint Secretary Syed Akbaruddin, in response to whether the presentation would still go forward in light of recent ‘Made in China’ reports about the Aakash 2:

"The decision to unveil the Aakash 2 at the United Nations (during India's Presidency of the UNSC) was taken after it was confirmed that the device would be formally unveiled by the Hon'ble President of India on November 11, 2012. Hence it will go ahead.

Given its cost competitiveness, it aimed to bridge the digital divide by providing access to quality education for all. It was the successful implementation of this 'idea' and such technologies, that we intend to showcase, using the platform provided by the United Nations, which is a common practice amongst developing countries."

Finally launched earlier this month, the Aakash 2 tablet will initially make its way to students of certain engineering colleges, before being made available to the general public. It will be available to students at a subsdised price of Rs. 1,130. DataWind is supplying the Aakash tablet to the Indian government at Rs. 2,263 per unit.